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Syrah/Shiraz from Central Coast, California

Winemaker's Notes

Our Aisling (pronounced ‘ASH-ling') Syrah serves as a stylistic counterpoint to all the other Syrahs we produce. The other Syrahs in our portfolio come from cooler vineyard sources, whereas Aisling is from slightly warmer sites. All of our other Syrahs have a little bit of Viognier added to the final blend. Not Aisling. It's always 100% Syrah. And while all of our other Syrahs utilize French cooperage, the Aisling is always partially barrel fermented and aged in American oak…usually 50% to 70% new.

When we describe our production protocol for the Aisling, many people immediate assume that this wine will be in an ‘Aussie' style. After all, most of the finest Australian Shiraz are a blend of Syrah vineyards, partially barrel fermented and aged in American oak, etc. While the protocol is similar, the end result usually has more in common with the Northern Rhône appellation of Crozes-Hermitage.

Our Aisling showcases aromas of Herbes de Provence, earth, cherry and spice, and flavors of kirsch, plum, minerals, blueberry and pepper. The palate is rather immense and extracted, but there's good acidity and finely-integrated tannins that keep it all in check.

When it comes to our two blended vineyard Syrahs, there's a basic rule of thumb. If you're a Francophile chances are that you'll enjoy our Craic. If, on the other hand, you enjoy bigger, bolder, New World wines, the Aisling will be more to your liking.

Aisling is a Gaelic word that means ‘dream' or ‘vision', and describes a Syrah that follows a decidedly different vision than our other Syrahs. And different is good.

"Smoky, peppery, and earthy is the 2004 Syrah The Aisling (100% Syrah). It exhibits tremendous depth, richness, and full-bodied power as well as a long, textured, heady finish. Consume it over the next decade."-Wine Advocate

Garretson Winery

The fact that Paso Robles has emerged as California’s leading “Rhône Zone” can be attributed in no small measure to the efforts of Mat Garretson. This former Atlantan was already a fan of Syrah, but it was his introduction to Viognier that opened his eyes to the entire spectrum of this exotic family of grape varieties. "In 1982, a fellow retailer gave me a bottle of wine labeled ‘Condrieu’ as a birthday present," recalls Garretson. "I wasn’t too impressed...until I opened the bottle." That bottle sparked an obsession so complete that Garretson is often referred to as ‘Mr. Viognier’ by his fellow winemakers.

Garretson Wine Company’s focus is solely on crafting the best Rhône wines possible. In honor of the couple’s shared heritage, each wine features some manner of Gaelic-inspired reference. "You may not be able to pronounce the names," admits Garretson, "but remember, you don’t pronounce wines. You drink them."

While over the years Garretson has been no doubt instrumental in bringing fellow wine drinkers into the Rhône wine fold, he still feels a strong sense of obligation to keep spreading the word. "If I hadn’t been given that bottle of Condrieu so long ago, all of this may never have happened," he insists. "That one bottle led me to California, led me to a wonderful woman and an incredible family...not to mention all of the friends I’ve gained along the way. Just think: perhaps a bottle of one of our wines might just have the same affect on someone somewhere. That would be the finest honor we could hope for."
View all Garretson Wines

About Central Coast

The largest of California's wine growing regions, the Central Coast produces the majority of California's wine. The district sprawls out, covering most of the vineyard land between San Francisco and Santa Barbara. Smaller sub-AVAs of the Central Coast include Monterey Bay, Paso Robles, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains and many others.

Notable Facts

Grape varieties range from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Some Central Coast wine is generic, bulk wine that contributes to the high production numbers of the area. But many winemakers and wineries, particular in some of the smaller AVAs, are small production artisans, creating unique and high-quality wine. The great thing about the Central Coast is its diversity - you're able to find a number of grape varieties and styles at a number of different price points.

About California

It's not rare to see a wine's country of origin listed as "California." A country into itself in the wine world, California makes enough varieties and styles to match many European wine countries. It produces a diverse range of wines that span the quality spectrum.

The most famous of the California wine regions is Napa Valley, and these wines are certainly outstanding – but it's not as broad and diverse as its larger neighbor, Sonoma County. Down south, Santa Barbara's Santa Maria Valley is well-known for its Rhône blends, as well as cool-climate varieties like Pinot and Chardonnay. The Central Coast, the largest California AVA, has many different microclimates that lead to a wide range of wines with many sub-AVAs.

Customer Reviews

1 rating, 1 with review

This is not the typical fruit bomb associated with Shiraz from down under. The wine is complex and well structured with pepper, raspberry and chocolate on the palate. The finish carries a petite syrah like bing cherry flavor. Throwing considerable sediment.

Alcohol By Volume Guide

Most wine ranges from 10-16% alcohol by volume. Some varietals tend to have higher (for example Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon) or lower alcohol levels (Pinot Noir and many white varietals), but there is always some variation from producer to producer. Some wine falls outside of this range, for instance Port weighs in closer to 20%, while Muscat and Riesling are usually a bit below 10%.

Wine Style Guide

Light & Crisp

Light to medium bodied wines that are high in acid and light to medium fruit. Typically no oak.